Murray scrapes past Millman

Andy Murray reached the third round of the Brisbane International event with a see-saw 6-1, 5-7, 6-3 victory over the Australian John Millman.

Millman has spent most of his career playing challengers and, until this week, had failed to post a single win on the ATP circuit. In the first set the gulf in class was absolute and Murray breezed through in under 40 minutes. The Australian wasn't completely toothless, demonstrating power off the forehand wing, but this was little more than a training exercise for the Scot.

The second set was a completely different affair as Murray's form dropped precipitously. Whether this was due to a minor injury or a simple lapse in concentration is open to speculation, but suddenly Millman looked the better player. Murray struggled to find the court, hitting long or into the net with alarming regularity. Millman capitalised on this generosity, breaking twice on his way to taking the set and levelling the match.

Some semblance of normality returned in the third set, as Millman wilted and Murray once again found his range. The Scot was again tested on his serve but this time held firm.

This was an odd performance from the Scot. Lacklustre early round performances are nothing unusual, but the brilliant first set followed by such a dramatic collapse in form was unusual to say the least.

Andy Murray reached the third round of the Brisbane International even with a see-saw 6-1, 5-7, 6-3 victory over the Australian John Millman.

More to follow.

"Scrapes" is a bit of an exaggeration, Boogers, but the second set was certainly dodgy.

January 03, 2013, 01:14 PMBy Fiverings

Perhaps boogers could make a new year's resolution not to be so resolutely negative whenever Andy falters - and this could be the first opportunity to put the resolution into practice

January 03, 2013, 01:27 PMBy Ruthie

I had to leave house when the first set was 5:1, and I left in good mood. Now, on returning, I have to read about a tight outcome. so I am going to read the match thread to get the picture.

January 03, 2013, 01:32 PMBy counter_ puncher

Oh well, bang goes the 'I will not be goaded by Boogers' resolution.

Scrapes? Seriously? 6-1 5-7 6-3 is a scrape?

Blimey, now who's being a drama queen?

Andy had a second set blip, that was all. Something physical? Maybe? A bit of a dip in concentration? Almost certainly. Either way, he got the job done pretty convincingly in the third. I'm sure he'll be in good nick against Istomin.

I think bogglers has improved. Better than some of the disgraceful headlines last year.

January 03, 2013, 01:50 PMBy Connor

Yes I watched it. Boogers how many matches had John M played? Four to my knowledge. This was Andy's first match....also John had nothing to defend could hit out at everything. There is always pressure on the seeded player especially at the start of the Tournament,so we can expect better tomorrow from Andy tomorrow.

January 03, 2013, 01:53 PMBy michelle

Even when reading the match thread I felt like being on the all too well-known rollercoaster. We are used to it and do we want it any different (as long as he wins his match)? From what I saw in the first set, Millman has a solid game, esp. his groundstrokes. And when lower-ranked players face a champion, their ambitions will rise, as Andy knows from the times when he entered the senior stage. Often they cannot maintain such a high level over three or five sets. But as one of you remarked, the other top players rarely seem to have such first-round struggles.

Yes I watched it. Boogers how many matches had John M played? Four to my knowledge. This was Andy's first match....also John had nothing to defend could hit out at everything. There is always pressure on the seeded player especially at the start of the Tournament,so we can expect better tomorrow from Andy tomorrow.

Against someone ranked nearly 200 places below him? Against an opponent, who, until this week, had never won a match on the ATP circuit? Yeah. That's a scrape.

It wasn't as if Millman was overpowering Murray either. It was almost entirely unforced errors from Murray's racquet.

What's new?? How long have you been watching him???

January 03, 2013, 02:24 PMBy George183

Boogers, Millman played out of his skin in all but the last set. To win the fist set to 1 was miraculous given how well his opponent was playing. Id say Murray had about 2 bad games in the second set and the third was fairly routine.

Istomen up next. I really rate this guy on grass but he should prove no probs on the hard stuff. Interestingly Dimitrov has taken out Raonic in the battle of the young upstarts. Wonder if he is going to finally come good this year?

Brisbane. He was a qualifier usually three matches, then the 1st Round. 3+1= 4.Watched it online Sportlemon.

January 03, 2013, 02:40 PMBy michelle

I am in the same boat. I agree with the majority of this article that Booger has produced. The reason why Andy lost the second set was a huge dip in concentration and way too many errors, but none the less I think he will pick his game up against Istomin.